Tony Walsh – author & tours through Arabia
Oman News and other noteworthy issues about the country
The world is experiencing transformative change with technology developments, demographic changes, changing consumer habits, environmental and climate change. So to build for the future a new emphasis is needed. Local initiatives to support local people
These together with continued inequalities and the immense impacts of the COVID-19 have created a new approach, the Continue reading “Tourism needs to focus on local initiatives to support local people”
Oman’s authorities have given an overview of Oman’s Travel Regulation regarding Covid-19 for future visitors entering the country via the airports.
I suspect many requirements will also eventually apply if arriving by road or sea, especially insurance and reserved accommodation. Always check with your own Foreign Ministry for their travel advice and with the airline you use for up-to-date information as it is very likely to change periodically. Critical is the entry visa if you are not an Omani – check Oman Visa detailed requirements
All arrivals who are non-resident must have Continue reading “Oman’s Travel Regulation regarding Covid-19”
Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said has made many Royal Decrees about Government Ministries (see below) and under Royal Decree No. 111/2020 created New Ministers in Oman.
Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamoud Al Busaidi is appointed Continue reading “New Government Ministries and Ministers in Oman created by Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said“
Oman’s New Tourism Regulations have been issued by Oman’s Ministry of Tourism for the return of in-bound tourism to Oman.
In addition to following the preventive measures needed by the Supreme Committee on COVID-19 at their offices, the ministry said the operators must ensure that travellers have a medical certificate or required permits issued before travelling.
All reservations should be made through the internet, preferable with on-line or contactless payments.
Tours for groups should not exceed 15 people – and while on tour physical distancing should be observed with signed reminders.
Medical coverage insurance will be compulsory for all travellers before finalising any booking.
When a tourist arrives the following procedures should be followed.
The number of people entering the hotel reception area to be limited.
Social distancing requirements should be observed and clean waiting areas with water bottles are to be provided.
At hotel check-in, online registration is prefered and where a physical document is required separate pens should be used for each guest.
An a-la-carte menu is to be offered in hotels and restaurants.not a buffet.
Tour guides should have a digital thermometer to drivers for temperature checks of the guests.
The much mourned death of Sultan Qaboos now means that Oman’s law of succession comes into force.
Sultan Qaboos, who has ruled Oman since 1970, drew up Continue reading “Succession in Oman after the death of Sultan Qaboos”
Archbishop Francisco Montecillo Padilla – the Vatican’s Apostolic Nuncio (diplomat) to Yemen, Kuwait, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates and Qatar (strangely he doesn’t look after Oman) – and Dr. Ahmed Khamis Masood Al Bahri, director in Oman’s Ministry of Religious Endowments and Religious Affairs of Oman inaugurated St. Francis Xavier Church in Salalah, Oman.
The event was celebrated Continue reading “St. Francis Xavier Church – Salalah Oman”
Intercontinental Hotels (IHG) has purchased the award-winning Six Senses brand from private equity fund Pegasus Capital Advisors for USD 300 million. The sale includes the management of Six Senses 16 hotels and resorts, along with Spas and subsidiary groups Evason and Raison d’Etre. Following the acquisition, Six Senses is now expected to grow to 60 hotels within the next 10 years.
Six Senses currently manages Continue reading “Six Senses Hotel Group is brought by Intercontinental Hotels giving the group extra impact on Oman’s tourism business“
Tour of Oman 2019 starts on 16th February,
with 18 teams including Astana from Kazakhstan, whose Alexey Lutsenko won the race in 2018. This is the Continue reading “TOUR OF OMAN 2019 Cycle Race will have 18 UCI Teams “
The Oman budget is approved with expenditure of OMR (Omani Rials ) 12.9 billion (USD33.5billion)
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A Ferry Service for Oman from Qatar and Kuwait might be launching soon.
This seems to be being organized from Continue reading “FERRY SERVICE FOR OMAN FROM QATAR? as Qatar is trying to establish a Ferry Service“
The new JW Marriott Muscat is likely to open by mid-summer 2019.
This is a push back from a 2018 opening that was originally planned. Financed by Qatar National Bank the hotel is located within the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre. The Continue reading “JW Marriott Muscat opening 2019“
Duqm Refinery has achieved full finance on its path to becoming a driver in Oman’s economic diversification.
One of Oman’s economic objectives is to diversify its income, and the strategies include adding value to raw materials, leverage its geographical location and maximize local manpower skill sets.
The new “Duqm Refinery” at Ras Markaz Continue reading “Duqm Refinery”
Oman’s Government-owned Oman Oil and ORPIC will merge their ‘downstream businesses’, effectively from 2nd December 2018.
This merger is intended to be phase one to integrate their entire businesses. The CEO of the combined company will be Musab Abdullah al Mahruqi, he was previously the CEO of ORPIC from April 2010-Dec 2016 and is currently on the Board of Directors with PDO, Oman’s Oil Exploration business. Continue reading “Oman Oil and ORPIC will Merge”
The design for the Oman Pavilion “Oman Opportunities over time” for the forthcoming Dubai Expo 2020 has been revealed by Sayyid Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, Minister of Heritage and Culture.
The Pavillion design refers the Frankincense Tree, Continue reading ““Oman Opportunities over time” – Dubai Expo 2020 Pavilion”
Uber may not be in Oman, yet, – but the Middle-East’s own Careem Taxi is. Careem had started in Muscat in May 2017 but stopped at the request of Oman’s government. As Careem must have obtained a licence, at that time, to operate it was presumably stopped as a result of private sector concerns.
The new Careem service will use Marhaba Taxis which currently operate in Muscat (part of the Omani Ingenuity Technologies L.L.C/Suhail Bahwan Group), as the Careem fleet vehicles. Careem’s fares will start at OMR1.250; which Careem say is “in line with regular taxis” (I wonder if they have ever used the orange and white taxis which start at Rial Omani 0.100).
Careem intends to operate in all major towns in Oman (presumably also through Marhaba); I guess this will mean Suhar, Buraymi, Ibri, Nizwa and Salalah and Sur (the hometown of Suhail Bahwan).
To use Careem, download their app from iTunes and Google Play. The Careem apps interface may not be 100% informative or intuitive and unfortunately the same can be said about Marhaba.
Check here for other news about Taxis in Oman.
My Bradt Guide to Oman is available as an eBook from most online stores – click here to get it immediately. It will take you all the way down to the Yemen border – and details accommodation there; and if you prefer paperback, check out the book also on Amazon online stores and your main bookshop.
